The Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia was transformed into a haunting, neon-lit woodland on May 13, 2026, as Avatar brought their “Don’t Go In The Forest” tour to a crowd of dedicated “good citizens.” This wasn’t just a concert; it was a high-concept descent into a dark fairytale, supported by two of the heaviest hitters in the game right now.
The night started with a literal chill as Frozen Soul took the stage. The Texas death metal outfit brought their “Magni-Cold” energy to Philly, drenching the front row in bone-crushing riffs. Their set was a relentless tribute to old-school death metal, with tracks like “Glacial Domination” turning the venue into a frozen wasteland and a Magic the Gathering playroom.
Following the cold, Fleshgod Apocalypse brought the operatic heat. The Italian symphonic death metal masters are a visual marvel, dressed in decaying Victorian evening wear. Their set was a whirlwind of technical precision and grandiosity, with the operatic vocals of Veronica Bordacchini soaring over the blast beats. The contrast between their refined appearance and the sheer brutality of their sound provided a perfect bridge into the main event.
When the house lights finally died, the stage for Avatar was set with a flickering lantern. The Swedish troupe opened with “Captain Goat,” and frontman Johannes Eckerström immediately commanded the room with his signature Joker-esque grin. As the tour name suggests, the setlist was a deep dive into their 2026 album Don’t Go In The Forest. New tracks like “In the Airwaves” and “Death and Glitz” sounded massive, blending the band’s penchant for catchy grooves with a more experimental, atmospheric edge.
The production was top-tier, featuring elaborate costume changes and theatrical interludes. A standout moment was the title track, “Don’t Go In The Forest,” where the stage was flooded with green light and fog, making the industrial space of Franklin Music Hall feel claustrophobic in the best way possible. Of course, they didn’t forget the classics; “Bloody Angel” and “The Dirt I’m Buried In” drew massive singalongs that shook the balcony.
Closing the night with the one-two punch of “Smells Like a Freakshow” and “Hail the Apocalypse,” Avatar proved once again that they are the kings of theatrical metal. It was a night of masterful storytelling and crushing music that left Philly wanting to get lost in the woods all over again.
Avatar
